Commonwealth Architects is in the process of converting this former tobacco factory into 28 luxury apartments. Located in the St. John’s National Historic District of Richmond, the original “L” shaped portion of the building was built in 1853. It is significant as one of the last antebellum tobacco structures in Richmond and contributes, in association with the adjacent Pohlig Brothers Building, as one of the last fully intact block fronts of antebellum warehouse structures in Richmond. The Superior Building had previously been slated for demolition in order to make room for a suburban-modeled grocery store. As a result of lobbying efforts by Commonwealth Architects, however, the Superior Building will be incorporated into development plans through creative site planning and architectural design solutions. The result will be urban housing and a full service grocery store coexisting and reinforcing each other’s presence. Rehabilitation is anticipated to be completed in October 2002.
